Means for attaching flexible sheets to articles



A. c.- HOVEN 2,553,043

MEANS FOR ATTACHING FLEXIBLE SHEETS T0 ARTICLES May 15, 1951 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 29, 1948 INVENTOR. Alfred C Ho (Jen aflozneigv A. c. HOVEN 2,553,043 MEANS FOR ATTACHING. FLEXIBLE smears 1T0ARTICLES May 15, 1951 awn 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Alfred C. E0 (Jen if 4 1 L filmy 5 Filed July 29, 1948 aiforney PatentedMay 15, 1951 UNITED STATES EATENT OFFlCLE MEANS FOR ATTACli-IINGFLEXIBLE SHEETS TO ARTICLES- Application July 29, 1948, Serial No.41,233

6 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to means for attaching flexible sheets toarticles, and particu" larly for attaching upholstery covers to articlesof furniture or the like.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide a novel means forattaching a flexible sheet such as an upholstery cover directly to anarticle such as an upholstered chair back or chair seat in such a mannerthat the sheet may be quickly, easily and permanently secured to thearticle without tacks or like fastenings and without hammer or othertools.

Illustrative embodiments and applications of the invention are shown inthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of anupholstered chair back of the type used in theater chairs;

I Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of a retaining elementwhich may be employed in practicing the invention;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views illustratingprogressive stages in the application of the invention;

Figure 5c, is a diagram illustrating the relative dimensions of certainparts of the structure;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of an alternate form ofretaining element which may be used in practicing the invention;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the use of theretaining element shown in Figure 6 for upholstering a chair back or thelike;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of another alternate form ofretaining element which may be used in practicing the invention;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the use of theretaining element shown in Figure 8 for upholstering a chair back or thelike;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a differentmethod of employing the retaining element shown in Figure 2 inpracticing the invention;

Figure 11 is a front elevational view of a theater-type chair, the chairseat being omitted in this view and the supporting standards for thechair being shown fragmentarily;

Figure 12 is a central vertical sectional view of the same taken on linel2-I2 of Figure 11;

Figure '13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a 3 lower portion ofFigure 12;

Figure 14 is a top plan view of a theater-type chair seat per seupholstered according to the present invention;

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the sametaken on line I 5-45 of Figure 14;

Figures 16, 1'7 and 13 are sectional views of other structures showingother applications of the invention and these figures will hereinaftermore fully be described.

Referring now particularly to Figures 11 and 12, there is here shown achair back 20 of the theater type upholstered according to the presentinvention. In contrast to conventional theater chair backs in which theupholstery padding and cover are first mounted on an inner panel whichis thereafter secured to an outer back panel which in turn is mounted onthe chair supporting standards, the present invention enablesapplication of the padding 2! and upholstery cover 22 directly to asingle back panel 23 mounted on the standards 24 as by screws 25, thuseliminating one panel and simplifying the structure and the assemblythereof. This is accomplished by forming a continuous channel 26 in thetop and sides of the stamped sheet metal back panel 23 in which channel28 the marginal top and side edges of the upholstery cover 22 aresecured by means of a retaining element such as the element 21 shown infragmentary elevation in Figure 2,

Referring now particularly to Figures 15 in clusive, the retainingelement 2'! is formed of spring Wire coiled to form a continuous elementwhich may be cut off in lengths as required. Each coil of the element isflattened upon the next succeeding coil, and the result is acrosssectionally elongated, ovate retaining element which possessesuniversal flexibility but very little compressibility or extensibilityeither longitudinally or laterally. The channel 28 formed in theperipheral edges of the back panel 23 is of generally C-shapedcross-section having a cove 28 and a cove 29 here referred torespectively as the major cove 28 and the minor co've 29, and having aterminus 36 and a terminus 3| here referred to respectively as the majorterminus 3'0 and the minor terminus 3|. (See especially Figures 3, 4 and5.) It is to be particularly noted that the channels secant from theapex of the major cove 28 to the minor terminus 3| is greater than thegreater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element 21, while thechannels secant from the apex of the minor cove 29 to the major terminusW is less than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retainingelement 27. This relationship is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure5a, wherein the curved line DACB represents the internal wall of thechannel 26 and the line EF represents the greatest cross-sectionaldimension of the retaining element 21, the secant AB being greater thanEF and the secant CD being less than EF.

In assembling the upholstery cover 22, which is a flexible sheet offabric, leather or the like, to the back panel 23, upholstery filler 2|which may as shown be loose padding of cotton or the like, or which maybe a rubberized hair pad, springs or a combination of any of these, isinterposed between the back panel 23 and the upholstery cover 22, andthe marginal edges of the upholstery cover are then curled around aretaining element 2! of the proper length. sired these marginal edges ofthe upholstery cover may be secured by a suitable adhesive to theretaining element 21 or to the upholstery filler 2!, or both, but thisstep will not always be found necessary in the practice of theinvention. The assembly is completed as illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and5, by inserting the retaining element 2'i-with the marginal edge of theupholstery covering 22 curled therearound into the channels major cove28, and past the channels minor terminus 3|, the upholstery filler 2!being compressed during this operation and the body of the upholsterycover 22 being stretched outwardly from beneath the major terminus 35 ofthe C-shaped channel 26. This outward tension on the body of theupholstery cover 22 forces the retaining element 2! and the marginaledge of the cover 22 into the minor cove 2Q of the channel 26 and behindthe major terminus 30 thus securely trapping the upholstery cover Withinthe channel.

As shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13 the lower marginal edge of theupholstery cover 22 is similarly secured to the back panel 23, theC-shaped channel 26 for the lower edge of the cover being formed by areverse bend 32 in the back panel 23 and a cove strip 83 secured to theback panel as by welding, while the retaining element for the lowermarginal edge of the upholstery cover 22 is simply a continuation of theretaining element 21.

Figures 6 and '7 illustrate a modified form of A,

retaining element 21 in which the spring wire is formed in undulationslying in the same plane. The method of applying the retaining element2'! to the upholstery cover 22 and channel 26 is the same as thathereinbefore described.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate another modification in which the retainingelement 21 is simply a cross-sectionally elongated bar of metal,plastic, rubber or other suitable material, and the method ofapplication is likewise the same as that hereinbefore described. Inpractice the retaining elements shown in Figures 2 and 6 are moreadaptable to securing flexible sheets to panels having curvedperipheries inasmuch as the universal flexibility of these elements 27and 2'! permits them to be fitted to any curve without pre-forming aswould be necessary with the fiat metal bar type of retaining elementshown in Figures 8, 9.

Figure shows a construction similar to that shown in Figures 1-5, exceptthat here the retaining element 2? has been pre-stitched into a hem inthe marginal edge of the upholstery cover by means of stitching 34, tofacilitate assembly of the cover to the panel.

Figures 14 and illustrate another application of the invention forupholstering a chair seat of the theater type. In this application the'C-shaped channel 36 is formed in the upstanding peripheral wall 38 of asheet metal seat vention for detachably foundation or pan 39 and hooks40 are also provided on the upper edge of the seat pan for the retentionof springs 4| of the undulated wire type. An upholstery sheet 42 ofburlap is disposed over the springs 41, upholstery filling 43 is placedover the sheet 42, and an upholstery cover 44 is disposed over thefilling 43. The marminal edges of both the upholstery sheet 42 and theupholstery cover M are secured within the C-shaped channel as by mea ofa r inin element 3'! of the type shown in Figure 2 and applied in themanner already described.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 show other applications of the invention. InFigure 16 the G-shaped channel 46 is formed by complementary halvesshaped in two wood frame members 48 and 49 which are secured together asby screws indicated at it. Upholstery filler 51 is disposed over theframe and an upholstery cover 52 is disposed over the filler 5| and hasits marginal edge secured Within the channel by means of a retainingelement ll of the type shown in Figure-2 and in the manner previouslydescribed.

Figure 1'? illustrates an application of the ininstalling removablecovers, such as the seat covers commonly used to protect the upholsteredseats and backs. in automobiles. Here the C-shaped channel 56 is in theform of a metal molding secured to the upholstered chair back Baby-meansof screws 59 passing through apertures in the molding and into the frameiii! of the back. The detachable cover 6! has its marginal edge securedwithin the C-shaped channel 56 by means of a retaining element 5'! ofthe type shown in Figure 2 and in the manner previously described.

Figure 18 illustrates still another application of the invention forinstalling a fabric, screen or the like in a frame therefor. As hereshown, the C-shaped channel 66 is formed in a rectangular frame '58shown fragmentarily, which may desirably be fabricated from lengths ofan aluminum extrusion. The flexible sheet 69 may be ordinary wirescreening, canvas, woven spun glass such as is used for light diffusionpurposes, or any other material possessing sufficient flexi bility, saidsheet 69 having its marginal edges here shown secured within the channel66 by means of a retaining element 61 of the type shown in Figure 2 andin the manner hereinbefore described.

Other modifications and applications of the invention will be readilyapparent to those interested in arts to which the invention may pertain,and it will-be understood that the spirit of the invention includes allsuch modifications and applications as fall within the scope of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. Means for attaching a flexible sheet to an article, comprising across-sectionally elongated retaining element insertable within achannel in the article with the flexible sheet engaged between theretaining element and the walls of the channel, said channel being ofgenerally cshaped cross-section having a major terminus with a majorcove adjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacentthereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major core to theminor terminus being greater than the greater cross-sectional dimensionof the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of theminor cove to the major terminus being less than the greatercross-sectional dimension of the retaining element, said minor coveconforming in cross-section to the cross-section of the retainingelement at one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat fornon-rotatably seating the retaining element and the flexible sheet whensaid element and sheet are inserted within the channel.

2. Means for attaching a flexible sheet to an article, comprising across-sectionally ovate retaining element insertable within a channel inthe article with the flexible sheet engaged between the retainingelement and the walls of the channel, said channel being of generallyC-shaped cross-section having a major terminus with a major coveadjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacentthereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major cove to theminor terminus being greater than the greater cross-sectional dimensionof the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of theminor cove to the major terminus being less than the greatercross-sectional dimension of the retaining element, said minor coveconforming in cross-section to the cross-section of the retainingelement at one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat fornon-rotatably seating the retaining element and the flexible sheet whensaid element and sheet are inserted within the channel.

3. Means for attaching a flexible sheet to an article, comprising alength of spring wire bent to form a retaining element of elongatedcrosssection having universal flexibility but little compressibility orextensibility, said retaining element being insertable within a channelin the article with the flexible sheet engaged between the retainingelement and the walls of the channel, said channel being of generallyC-shaped cross-section having a major terminus with a major coveadjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacentthereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major cove to theminor terminus being greater than the greater crosssectional dimensionof the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of theminor cove to the major terminus being less than the greatercross-sectional dimension of theiretaining element, said minor coveconforming in cross-section to the cross-section of the retainingelement at one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat fornon-rotatably seating the retaining element and the flexible sheet whensaid element and sheet are inserted within the channel.

4. Means for attaching a flexible sheet to an article, comprising alength of spring wire coiled. to form a retaining element of elongatedcrosssection having universal flexibility but little compressibility orextensibility, said retaining element being insertable within a channelin the article with the flexible sheet engaged between the retainingelement and the walls of the channel, said channel being of generallyC-shaped cross-section having a major terminus with a major coveadjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacentthereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major cove to theminor terminus being greater than the greater crosssectional dimensionof the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of theminor 6 cove to the major terminus being less than the greatercross-sectional dimension of the retaining element, said minor coveconforming in crosssection to the cross-section of the retaining elementat one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat for non-rotatablyseating the retaining element and the flexible sheet when said elementand sheet are inserted within the channel.

5. Means for attaching an upholstery cover to an article of furniture orthe like, comprising a cross-sectionally elongated retaining elementinsertable within a channel in the article with the marginal edge of theupholstery cover curled on said retaining element, said channel being ofgenerally c-shaped cross-section having a major terminus with a majorcove adjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacentthereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major cove to theminor terminus being greater than the greater cross-sectional dimensionof the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of theminor cove to the major terminus being less than the greatercross-sectional dimension of the retaining element, said minor coveconforming in cross-section to the cross-section of the retainingelement at one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat fornon-rotatably seating the retaining element and the flexible sheet whensaid element and sheet are inserted within the channel.

6. Means for attaching an upholstery cover to an article of furniture orthe like, comprising a cross-sectionally elongated retaining elementinsertable within a channel in the article with the marginal edge of theupholstery cover curled on said retaining element, said channel being ofgenerally c-shaped cross-section having a major terminus with a majorcove adjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacentthereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major cove to theminor terminus being greater than the greater cross-sectional dimensionof the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of theminor cove to the major terminus being less than the greatercross-sectional dimension of the retaining element, said minor coveconforming in cross-section to the cross-section of the retainingelement at one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat fornon-rotatably seating the retaining element and the flexible sheet whensaid element and sheet are inserted within the channel, and paddingcompressed between the article and the body of the upholstery coverextending outwardly from the major cove.

ALFRED C. HOVEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 512,491 Smith Jan. 9, 18941,468,624 Bennett Sept. 25, 1923 1,926,089 Forbes et a1 Sept. 12, 19332,005,455 Clark June 18, 1935 2,020,028 Hanauer Nov. 5, 1935

